Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-12
THE C0CKADE CITY.
MORE OF TIKI RECENT ALLEGED HIGH.
WAY RoBsERy CASE.
Further Examinations without Result
What One Ct the Prisoners ssys-old
Citizen Paralyzed.


ICorrcspondenco Of the Richmond Dispatchl
pETnRspuRo, March IL, 1887.
The Mayors Courtroom was crowded
almost to suflocation this morning by
spectators Interested in hearing the ex-
animation OF the alleged highway rob
berry cases The 6rst case taKen up was
that Of Alfred Grotz, charged III con-
noction with three other parties with
having assaulted and robbed Mr.. J. T.
Hughes on Saturday night last. Objec-
ton was made by counsel for the pri-
fonor to the examination of the case 10y
Justice Turnbull, who presided in
Langston's case yesterday, ON the
ground that having heard one case he
had pre- judged the others. Justice
Turnbull of course very promptly re-
tired from the bench, and Justice
Oliver was asked aud consented to sat
in his stead.
II was testified by Mr.. f. Peyser that
the prisoner came to his store on the
night Of the robbery, exhibited silver
watch which he said belonged to him,
and left it in pawn for a pair of pants
and flannel shirt valued at 80, saying
that he would redeem the watch in
few days. Subsequently Mr.. Peyser
heard OF the robbery of Mr.. Hughes,
and surrendered the watch as soon as
he learned that il was that gentleman's
property. The watch was identified
nv Mr.. Hughes. Another witness tes-
tined that Grotz tried TO pawn watch
with him the same night, saying that
he was in hard place, and wanted to
borrow four dollars.
Mr.. J. I. Hughes's testimony was
the same as that heretofore Published
in the Dispatch. He exhibited the
wounds on his head and the teeth that
had been knocked from his mouth, and
identified Grotz as one of the party
who was with him during the evening.
Who threw the coat over his head, vino
struck and who robbedshim he, could
not say. as he was in advance of the
parties when the coat was thrown over
Kim.
The prisoner Croft was placed on the
witnees.stand He said that about 7
O'Clock Saturday night he was drinking
with a party of friends aud Langston
in store near the Old market, when
Hall and Plummer (the other accused
parties) came in aud spoke to them.
They went ont together and subse- |
quently met Mr.. Hughes, and the four |
took walk with him. taking several |
drinks on the way. When they reached |
River street, said the witness, Hall |
threw the coat over Hughes's head,
Plummer struck him, and he (the pri-
soner) picked up the watch, which had
fallen TO the ground. They all then
ran away, hut subsequently met, when
something was said about division of
the money taken from Hughes. GrOtz
said he knew nothing about any money.
Grotz acknowledged having pawned the
watch at Mr.. Peyser's for the pants and
shirt.
This statement Of Grotz was corrobo-
rated by Sergeant Berry, of the police,
TO whom, in the presence of others,
he had previously made it..
1t may here be stated that Croft
pleaded "not guilty" TO the charge Of
assault, hut simply confessed to the
taking of the watch, valued at $40. His
counsel argued against the idea of con-
spiracy or assault, and urged that there
should only be conviction for petit lar
ceny, which punishment the justice had
full power to inhict The magistrate
took the matter under adyisement and !
reserved bis.decision.
The case Of Plummer, charged with
completely in the assault, was called
this afternoon ut 3 O'Clock. Mr.. Hughes
stated that he could not identify Plum
mer as ICING with the party during the
evening.
Grotz's Counsel objected to his being
ir.aced upon the stand to testify against
any of the parties, and it was argued
that under these circumstances GrOtz
could not be made to testify.
Without proceeding any further in
the case the matter WAS postponed I'M
tai tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
Mr.. Jacob Youngblood, of Prince
George county, aged seventy-nine
years, is critically i'll from the effects OF
a stroke of paralysis. His physician
has no hope of his recovery. Mr..
Youngblood is highly-respected citi-
zen of the county. and originally came
here from the North.
The recent removal Of Mr.. James ID.
Bowie from the office of collector of
customs of this port is the third order
of the kind issued by the President.
These several removals have been rem
dered necessary by the failure of the
Senate TO confirm the nomination OF
Mr.. Cogbill, who was appointed in his
place.
Mr.. George Moodys grocery store. at
the corner of Washington and Market
streets, narrowly escaped serious dam
age by fire last night The fire caught
from stove in the rooms over the store,
and was fortunately discovered 10y par
ties passing in time to prevent much
injury.
Lieutenant r. L. Matteson was last
night elected captain of the Petersburg
Grays in place OF Captain John ID. Rag
and, resigned. A good selection.
There are rumors of important con-
investments in property here
by northern capitalists, but nothing has
30 far been consummated.
ROBIN ADAR.